The EPA: Environment Protection Authority from 1995 after South Australia streamlines six laws and regulators

Environment Protection Authority (EPA) evolved and developed as South Australia's leading independent environmental regulator with significant achievements in protecting the state's  air and water quality, controlling pollution, waste, noise and radiation.

South Australia’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) emerged, with gradually-increased powers and independence, from the state parliament passing the Environment Protection Act 1993, proclaimed in 1995.

The Environment Protection Act 1993 replaced and streamlined six separate pieces of legislation and statutory authorities, licensing and approval requirements. Environmental issues including air quality, water quality, waste management and environmental noise were now covered in a single Act.

Initially a group within the state government's environment and natural resources department to help administer the Act, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) evolved and developed as the state’s leading independent environmental regulator with significant achievements in protecting South Australia’s air and water quality, controlling pollution, waste, noise and radiation.

The authority worked closely with industry, the community and government to protect the natural environment while supporting economic growth and improving wellbeing.

It administered the Environment Protection Act 1993, Radiation Protection and Control Act 1982, Plastic Shopping Bags (Waste Avoidance) Act 2008 and Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020, and developed guideline and codes of practice. In 2003, the six-member Environment Protection Authority was replaced by a nine-member EPA Board with more clearly defined roles.

The EPA became a separate agency in 2006 with its own chief executive.  Next year, a revamped Environment Protection Act 1993 increased the powers and level of independence for the EPA’s managing board

The Environment Protection (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2005 strengthened the powers of the EPA. It provided:
         * for the first time in an Australian state, civil penalties of up to $120,000 to be negotiated for less serious breaches of the Act.
         * greater power for EPA to require the owner, when closing an industrial site, to test and monitor the land if there are environmental concerns.
         * easier prosecutions for environmental nuisance.
         * local government councils being able to protect their communities against polluters with optional direct powers as administering agencies.